Australia and New Zealand are about to become the centre of the cricket universe. The Antipodean rivals are joint hosts for what is surely the most anticipated Cricket World Cup ever.
The many warm up games in recent weeks have given us some incredible action that really have whetted the appetite. We have seen records broken left right and centre, with the undoubted highlight being AB de Villiers scoring the quickest ODI century in history. If this a sign of things to come then I cannot wait for the action to begin. Let’s preview the participating nations and attempt to pick a winner, starting with the so-called minnows.
Afghanistan, Scotland, Ireland and The UAE are the four lucky nations to have come through the long qualification process. I am tempted not to call Ireland a minnow, as they appear to be on the way to test status within the next few years. However, they are an associate member country for now, and must be classed as such.
History tells us there will be a shock result at some point during the tournament and Ireland do seem best placed to provide it. They have an impressive record against England, but surely the minnows’ best chance of a win will be against either Bangladesh or Zimbabwe.
Although both have full member status, they scarcely deserve it. In Zimbabwe’s defence, their cricket is riddled with politics, meaning the majority of their best players don’t play for them. This reason alone means that I dismiss them as contenders to even reach the second phase of the tournament. Bangladesh have been a huge disappointment since gaining Test status. They’ve had their moments of course, but considering the popularity of the game there I’m surprised how much they still struggle. They do have individuals who could make a name for themselves, but like Zimbabwe they will exit in the group stage.
Speaking of Bangladesh, the subcontinent countries India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka all enter the World cup amongst the favourites. On their day all three can beat anybody and they must be taken seriously.
Pakistan are as enigmatic as ever, as they have arguably one of most talented squads in the tournament. With a mixture of experience and top quality young talent rule them out at your peril. However since the days of Imran Khan they can at times lack leadership, and it remains to be seen which Pakistan will turn up; they are without doubt one of the most inconsistent teams in the tournament. One thing for certain is that they will be great to watch, although it must be said they were a major disappointment recently in New Zealand. Not being able to play at home seems to be starting to take its toll on Pakistani cricket.
India don’t seem to me to be quite on their game at the moment. Unusually, they are very inconsistent, as recent results have shown. It’s dangerous to write them off as they are the current holders, but I’m not convinced they’re as good as they were in 2011. MS Dhoni is nearing the end of his career, and his captaincy has been found wanting at times.
Sri Lanka, despite losing a few games comprehensively, started to hit a run of form and even ended on a high in their tour of New Zealand. The series didn’t start well, but the Kiwis are a strong outfit at home and very tough to beat. Sangakkara and Dilshan are in supreme form with the bat and those two alone are capable of winning a game. They must be fancied to go far.
On to England: the great under achievers of ODI cricket. A late change of captaincy seems to have given the team a huge lift, with Eoin Morgan now taking charge. The early signs are promising, as the team seem to be playing with much more freedom and confidence than before. The problem is the change of captaincy really should have happened last summer and it’s asking a lot for England to get past the second phase. I’m concerned about the bowling too, with Broad yet to hit top form as yet and the refusal to play Tredwell both major concerns. As much as I want England to win the World Cup, we won’t.
The West Indies are hard to predict, to say the least. On their day they can beat anybody, as they have shown in recent ODI and T20 tournaments. However, the ever-existent problem of player contracts haunts the team. There seems to be a split in the camp, with two of their best players in Pollard and Bravo not being selected after their parts in the recent cancelling of the Indian tour. Chris Gayle has been particularly outspoken about it, and although they could surprise us all, West Indies will not win the World Cup.
What can one say about South Africa? At their best they are a wonderful side to watch both with bat and ball and they’ve had a highly successful home season over the last few months. I’ve already mentioned the remarkable innings of de Villiers and if he does anything like that again nobody will be able to live with them. With the best bowling attack in world cricket they will be there or thereabouts. However, history tells us that come tournament time they choke and if they’re going to win this World Cup they have to get over that.
Finally, the two host countries Australia and New Zealand. Both must have a chance to be champions, especially on home soil, and they are amongst my favourites. New Zealand have had an excellent home season, seeing off Sri Lanka and Pakistan without any trouble at all. They are packed with powerful batsmen such as Brendon McCullum, Luke Ronchi and Corey Anderson and a very decent bowling attack with Daniel Vettori just beginning to hit form. Playing at home, they simply must be amongst the favourites to win the trophy and if McCullum hits his best form he could win the tournament on his own.
Australia are the obvious favourites. With Michael Clarke just about fit again, put simply, they are the best side in the world. The bowling is led by an incredible new ball attack of the two Mitchells, Johnson and Starc, plus a top quality support. The batting is chock full of class, with Warner, Clarke and the current best player in the world Steve Smith added to all rounders Maxwell and Watson. It will take a brave person to bet against them.
I am not that brave and for me Australia will win the World Cup with ease. For other sides to beat them on home turf will take a freak result and there is no other country in the world that has their class. Completing the last four I have New Zealand, South Africa and Sri Lanka, who towards the end of their New Zealand tour showed signs of a return to form.
Whatever happens all cricket fans are in for a treat with what looks like a fantastic tournament.
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